Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
~G) o754ji
~.~'73~
I GEROTOR GE~RSET DEVICE ~ . I
I
BACKGROUIlD I~F TEIE IllVENTION
This application relates to hydra~lic devices of the type
in which a series of expandable and contractable fluid pockets
are de~ined between the intermeshing teeth of a gerotor geaxset
having an internally toothed stator and an externally toothed
rotor adapted for relative orbital and rotational ~ovement~ It
relates particularly to hydraulic devices of ~he type in which
each internal tooth of the stator comprises a cylindrically ¦
shaped roller located in a recess of the stator, and which
rollers rotate in their recesses and also perform a vaning
unction by engaging the teeth of the xotor to seal the high
pressure zones of the device from the low pressure zones. ¦ ; ;;
There are many known forms of hydraulic devlces in which
a series of expandable and contractable f1uid pockets are
formed between the intermeshing teeth of a geortor gearset
having an internally toothed stator whose teeth a~e formed by ~;
a series of cylindrical rollers located in recesses in the
stator and which rotate and vane during operation of the device.
The recesses and the cylindrical rollers are dimensLoned such ¦
that the recesses provide rolling support for the rolLers.
U.S. Patent 3,289,602 is typical of such devices. ¦
The inner wall oE the xecesses and the outer walls of the
rollers have smooth surface finishes and their di~ensioning is
`;` . '
.' ,
.'
: .
' ', ' 1 ~ '.,
.- , . . . . . .
~ l
3~9~2
such that a film of high pressure fluid i5 formed bekween them
as the device operates. The film of high pressure fluid helps
to seal the high pressur~ zone from the low pressure zone by
applying a resultant force having a substantial xadial component ,
against the roller teeth of the stator to move and main~ain
rollers in sealing engagement with the xotor teeth. Also the
forces on the roller cause the roller to shift circumferen~ially
and provide a seal between the roller and the surface defining
the recess in which the roller is located. This action of the
roller is referred to as a vaning action. The film of high
pr&ssure fluid also serves to reduce wear between the rollers
and stator by providing lubrication between the rollers and
the stator.
It has been xecognized that at high operating pressures
there are high resultant non-radial forces exerted against the
cylindrical xollers and that these resultant non-radial forces
tend to destroy the film of high pressure fluid between ths ¦
rollers and the wall of their respective recesses. This
results in considerable direct contact between the rollers
and the wall of their respective recesses. As a result
wear and /or galling can occur. Further, rolling action of
the roller may then cease, resulting in wear of the rotor teeth
due to a rubbing contact with the roller.
There have been various suggestions for designi~g
hydraulic devices of this type in a manner which serves to
positively maintain high pressure fluid between the rollers and
their recesses to promote the sealing action o~ the rollers
and to help to reduce wear on the rollers and th~ recess walls.
One such suggestion can be ~ound in the disclosure of UOS~
Patent 3,915,603. In this patent each of the arcuate recesses is
I -a-
I :10';~3~ z
formed with a pair of additional recesses and each of the
additional recesses recei~es a sealing member which is movable
in the recess by pressures developed during operation of the
device. The movement of the sealing member is intended to main-
tain a desired film of high pressure flu.id between each roller
member and its respective pocket. The sealing member operates
as a seal and not as a load carrying member to carry ~he load
of the roller.
. Another type of sugges~ed device is designed to direct
fluid to the areas between the rollers and the arcuate recesses ;
as shown in U.S. Patent 3,692,439. A~cording to the disclosure
of this patent high pressure fluid is d.iverted directly to the ¦
area between the rollers and the recesses for forcing the rollers¦
into engagement with ~he teeth of the rotor. In positively j:
diverting high pressure fluid for this purpose this device
apparently sacrifices some degree of volumetric efficiency.
In U.S. Patents 3,915,603 and 3,692,439 while provision~
is made fox maintaing fluid in the recesses to shift the roller .
¦ radially, the galling due to circumferential movement o the ..
rollers can occur. Fuxther, these structures are somewhat
complicated and expensive and require a multiplici~y of parts. ;.
A suggestion to minimize galling of the roller and the ¦; '
stator recesses is shown in U.S. Patent 3,460,481 in which the l :
inner wall of each recess i5 provided with a linin~ such as
Teflon. Here again this i5 a somewhat compli~ated and expensive
structure. !-
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
. - ' - -- .
The.present invention provides a new and improved
hydraulic device of the type utilizing a gerotor gearset where
the teeth of the internally ~oothed member are roller vanes. :.
In accordance with the present invention, the rollers of the
. internally toothed member rotate during relative rotational
~ . .
~C)'737~
and orbital movement of the internal (stator) and external (ro-tor)
toothed members. Further, the ~oller vanes move generally into
sealing cont~ct with the rotor teeth to provide a seal between
the rotor an~ stator and move generally circumferentially to
provide a seal between the wall of the recess in which the roller
is located and the roller. This provides a seal between the high
and low pressure portions of the device. In accordance with the
present invention the inner wall of the stator is constructed so
that a fluid film is normally maintained between the roller and
the surface defining the roller receiving recess.
More specifically, in accordance with the present
invention the stator includes a one-piece homogeneous body having
a continuous inner wall which defines a series of arcuate
recesses each of which is dimensioned to receive a radially
and circumferentially shiftable roller vane. The continuous
inner wall further defines a series of xadially oriented
notches which are disposed between the arcuate recesses and
which serve to make portions of the inner wall defining the
arcuate recesses resiliently deflectable as a function of the
forces applied to the rollers.
When high non-radial forces are applied to a roller
vane to shift the roller vane radially and circumfexentially in
its recess, wall portions of the recess may de~lect and a fluid
film is normally maintained be~ween the roller and the wall
portions of the recess. As a result, through the addition of
a notch a considerable reduction in wear is achieved between the
roller and the recess, even at high operating pressures. This
is obviously a substantial simplification as compared to the
complicated and expensive structures in the art and referred
to above.
! 10 7374Z
A further feature of the present invention relates a
commutation system provided for directing fluid flow to an
from the expanding and contracting pockets in timed relationship
tO the rela~ive orbital and rotational motion of the gearset
elements and in a manner which is designed to provide hi~h
volumetric efficiency. A valve disc includes a radial face
which abutts one axial side of the gearset elements and which
is fixed to the externally toothed rotor and which orbits and
rotates therewith relative to the internally toothed stator.
The disc includes a number of pairs of fluid passages equal
in number to the numberofrotor teeth. One of each pair o~ fluid
passages i5 in constant fluid communication with a source of
high pressure fluid, and the other of the passages is in constant !
fluid communication with low pressure fluid. The pairs of fluid
passages are disposed in a circular pattern which is dimensioned I
to bring portions of the passages into radial alignment with ¦ ~;
selected portions of the notches during selected rotational ¦ ;
and orbital positions of the gearset elements. This allows ¦
efficient transition of a respe¢tive pocket from a high pressure I -
~zone to a low pressure zone and has the effect of providing the
device with extremely high volumetric efficiency.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
E'urther objects and advantages of this invention will
become further apparent from the following detailed description
taken with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:
Fig. 1 is a longitudinal cross sectional view of a
hydraulic device employing the principles o~ the presen~ invention ;
10'7;~Z
Fig. 2 is an axial view of the stator of the hydraulic
device of Fig. lt
Fig, 3 is an axial VieW of the combined rotor and com-
mut~tor plate of the device of Fig. 1, showing the rotor in
section;
Fig. 4 is on sheet 2 of the drawings and is an axial
view of the hydraulic device of Fig. 1, taken along the line X-X
o~ Fig~ 1, with portions omitted and illustrating a position of
the gearset elements of the present invention different than
their position in Fig. l;
Fig. 5 is an axial view of the commutator plate o
Fig. 4, with the xotor omitted; and
Fig. 6 is an enlarged schematic fragmentary representa-
tion of a gerotor gears~t constructed according to the present
invention and illustrating the manner in which the interengaging
teeth ~eact to the forces generated during operation of the
gearset~
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
PREFERRED EMBOOIMENT
Fig. 1 illustrates a hydraulic device constructed in
a~cordance ~ith the present invention. The device of Fig. 1 ~;
can be used either as a pump or a motor and for illustration ~ ;
purposes it will be referred to hereinafter as a hydraulic
motor. However, from the description which follows the manner
in ~hich the structural ~eatures of this invention can be used
as a pump will become readily apparent to those of ordinary
skill in the art.
-6-
.,, : , . .:.,
10'7;374Z
In the illustrated embodiment of Fig. 1, the hydraulic
motor includes a housing comprising housing members lo, 12
fixedly secured to each other by conventional means such as
bolts, etc, (not shown). A stator plate 14 and an additional
plate member 16 are disposed between the housing members 10, 12
and are also fixedly connected with the housing members 10, 12
in an axially aligned relationship.
Housing member 10 includes a central chamber 18 and
an output shaft 20 is disposed partially within the chamber 18.
A bearing member 22 is disposed within the chamber 18 and includec
an inner wall 24 which provides a bearing support for a portion
of the output shaft 20. An end closure member 26, also disposed
within chamber 18, includes roller bearings 28 which rotatably
journal the output shaft 20 for rotation about its cen~ral axis
30. The innermost end of the output shaft 20 includes an
enlarged head 32 journaled for rotation about central axis 3Q
by means of axially extending roller bearings 34 and radially
extending roller bearings 36. A series of thrust bearing disc
member 38, 40 and 42 take up the axial forces generated during
operation of the devLce.
A ring member 44 preferably ormed either of Teflon
or a combination of Teflon and an elastomeric member forms a
dynamic seal against leakage of fluid between the shaft 20
and the member 22. Ring member 46, also formed of Teflon or
a combination of Te~lon and an elas~omeric material forms a
dynamic seal against leakage of fluid from a chamber 48 formed
between insert member 22 and end closure member 26. Static
seals are provided by O-rings 50, 52 and serve to fur~her seal
the central chamber 18 agains~ leakage of fluid.
. ','
~7~
, .
10';'3~Z
Rotation o~ the output shaft 20 is effected by ~he
relative orbital and rotational movement of the intermeshing
members of a gerotor gearset. In the illustrated embodiment,
the gerotor gearset includes an internally toothed stator
which includes the stator plate 14 and an externally toothed
rotor 54. The externally toothed rotor 54 has one less tooth
than the stator ~nd has a central axis 53 which is eccentrically
disposed relative to the central axis 55 of the stator. During
operation, the rotor 54 rotates about its axis and orbits about
the central axis of the stator.
A wobble sha~t 56 has a central axis 58 dispo~ed at
an ~ngl~ ~ith respeat to central axis 30 of the output shaft
~nd has ~ portion which is splined to the rotor ~4 and which
portion rotates and orbits with the rotor 54. Another portion
o~ the wobble shaft 56 is splined to the enlarged head 32 of
the ou-tput sha~t 20 and serves to rotate the output shaft 20
about its central axis 30 as the rotor 54 orbits and rotates
with respect to the stator.
The spline connections between the wobble shaft 56
and the rotor 54 and between the wobble shaft 56 and the output ~ ;~
shaft 20 are preerably constructed in accordance with the
disclosure o~ U.S~ Patent 3,606,601. Generally, the wobble
s~aft portion of the spline connection comprises between 50 and
60~ of the ciraular pitch and is such that 1-he loaded male
teeth o~ the wobble sha~t ~re subjected to compressive stresses
and have pressuxe anyles o less than 45. Fuxther details of
this spline connection can be obtained from U.S. Patent 3,606,601
A -8-
, ~ ,.
-~ ~ ~
~
~LO'737~Z
The stator plate 14 has an inter~al bore having a
central axis 55 ~see Fig. 2). The stator plate 1~ is preferably
a one-piece homogeneous malleable cast iron metal member,
with an inner wall 59 which is a continuous surface and
which defines a series of circumferentially spaced arcuate
recesses 60 which open into the internal bore. Each of the
recesses 60 is an arcuate portion of a cylinder, and the
centers of curvature of the recesses 60 are all equidistantly :.
spaced from the central axis 55. Each arcuate recess 60 is I ;
dimensioned to receive a cylindrical roller 62 (only one is ~ ~ :
shown in Fig. 2). ~ach roller 62 is rollingly received by a .~ -.
respective recess with the rollers being circumferentially
shiftable in their respective recesses in the manner disclosed :~
in U.S. Patent 3,289,602.
The recesses 60 are preferably slightly larger than
semi-circular in circumferential extent so that they extend
more than 180 around the roller and thus block expressive
radial movement of the rollers 62. The inner wall of stator ~.
-plate 14 with a cylindrical roller 62 being disposed in each of t~
recesses 60 forms ~he internally toothed s~ator o~ the gerotor :
gearset. As noted the rotor 54 has a plurality of external
teeth (one less than the number of rollers 62 recei~ed by the
stator plate 14)o The spaces between the cylindrical r~llers
O~ the stator and the external teeth of the rotor define fluid
pockets which expand and contract due to fluid pressures communi-
cated thereto and by the relative rotational and orbital movement
of the rotor and statoF,
. . .
, .
, . '
'
~073';~4Z
The inner wall 59 of the stator plate 14 also defines
a plurality of circumferentially spaced notches 64 which are
formed between the arcuate recesses 60 and which are radially
disposed with respect to the central axis 55. The notches 64
extend axially completely through the stator plate 14, and
thus intersect the opposite axial sides thereof. ~ach of the
notches 64 is preferably defined by a pair of converging
wall portions 66, 68 which converge at an angle of from 30
to 40 and have a radial depth which is slightly less than the
depth of the recesses 60, as shown in Fig. 2. However, the angle
and depth of the notches may vary within the purview of the
principles of the present invention.
Referrïng to Fig. 4, a center of eccentricity of the
device is defined by a line Ce extending through the central
axes of the rotor 54 and the sta~or. The commutation valve means,
which are described more fully hereinafter, serves to direct
high pressure fluid to the fluid pockets on one side of the
line of eccentricity and to exhaust fluid from ~he fluid pockets
on the other side of the line of eccentrici~y.
As shown in Fig. 4 the stator includes nine rollers
lettered A through I, which rollers define the 1uia pockets
therebetween. At any given point the pockets on one side of
the line of eccentricity (for example, the pockets between the
roller vanes, I, H, G, F and E) are receiving high pressure
luid. The pockets on the other side of the line of
eccentricity (for example, the pockets between rollers E, D,
C, B and A) are exhausting low pressure 1uid. A resultant
torque is exerted on the rotor 54 which torque cause~ the rotor
to rotate about its center in a counter clockwise direction,
-10-
- .
: l
10~3'74'~
and to orbit about the central axis 55 of the stator in a
clockwise direction. At various points during this movement
a rotor tooth may be a~ maximum insertion between teeth of
the stator as shown by the rotor tooth 72 in Fig. 4. At other
points during this motion a rotor tooth will be at minimum
or no insertion between teeth of the stator (the tooth 74 in
Fig. 4 is close to this position).
The provision of roller ~anes which are rotatable ~nd
circumferentially shiftable in the recesses serves to seal ths
high pressure pockets from the low pressure pockets. Referring
~o Fig. 6 the rotor 54 is rotating counter clockwise when the
high pressure fluid zone is on the left side o~ roller E and
the low pressure fluid zone on the right side of roller E.
Under such conditions a force is exe~ted on roller E tending
to shift the roller E into tight sealing engagement with the
right-hand portion of the recess wall. High pressure fluid
has easy access to the radially outwardmost areas 69 of the
recess. A resultant force R exerted on the roller exerts a
substantial radially directed component against the roller E
and urges the roller into tight sealing engagement with the
tooth 74 of rotor 54. Referring to Fig. 4 the roller I (which
is adjacent the rotor tooth 72 which is at maximum inxertion~
has a resultant force R' exerted on it and it is also shifted
both radially and circumferentially into sealing engagement
with ~he rotor and with its respective recess to further seal
the high pressure zone from the low pressuxe zone.
It is known that a small ~ilm of high pressure fluid ¦~
tends to form between the rollers and the respec~ive recess
walls. Fig. 6 shows, in the full lines and in exaggerated
scale, a small gap P between the outer wall 76 of the roller
. . ', ,: ;, ' , '
l ~0737~Z
and a portion 78 o~ the right side o~ the recess wall. A
thin film of high pressure fluid forms in this gap and is not
detrimental to the basic sealing function of the xoller vanes,
and in fact is useful in the sense that it serves to lubricate
the rollers as they are rotated relative tc the recess walls.
In prior art devices, at high pressures, in the
absence of the no~ches 64 a roller such as E tends to be urged
against a portion of its recess wall with such force that a
fluid film cannot be maintained between the roller and the
portion of the recess wall. This can cause extremely high
direct frictional contact between the rollers and the recess
wall and can result in extremewear on the rollers and the
recess walls. This would also cause high wear on the rotor if
forces between a roller and its respective recess wall became
so high that the xoller becomes locked against rotation.
The notches 64 enable the recess walls to be de1ectable
under forces which are generated during operation o~ the device.
This reduces the possibility of direct contact occurring
between the recess walls and the rollers. The notches 64 in
the stator wall render portions of the recess walls resiliently
deflectable under the effect of the forces which act on the statol;
teeth. In the illustration of Fig~ 6 the deflected portion o~ th~
recess wall is shown in dashed lines at 78', and the roller wall
shifts into the position represented schematically at 76'. At
high operating pressures the recess walls deflect as a function
of the applied forces. Thus, as the recess walls deflect a fluid
film can normally there~y be formed and maintained between the
roller and the recess walls, thus minimizing the possibility
of direct contact between the rollers and the recess walls.and
the roller maintains good sealing engagement and lubrication
with the recess wall. When the high ~orces are reduced the
resilience of the recess wall returns i~ to its original
-12-
l !
~1~737~Z I,
position.
If the high and low pressure zones were on the
opposite sides of roller E than shown in Fig. 6, the rotox
would be rotated clockwise. The roller E would shift ¦ ;
circumferentially into engagement with the right-hand portion ¦
of tha wall of the recess and the right side of the recess
wall would deflect as a function of the applied forces.
The orbital and rotational movement of the rot~r is
generated by a fluid commutation system which is basically in
Fig~. 1, 4 and 5. The fixed housing member 10 includes an
annular channel 80. The annular channel 80 is in fluid communi-
cation ~schematically illustrated at 82) wi~h a first port
(not shown) formed in the housing member. The first port
communicates either high or low pressure fluid to the annular ¦
channel 80. The annular channel 80 is also in fluia communi- j
cation with a fluid chamber 84 formed within an inner wall
86 of plate member 16.
A fluid passage 88 is also formed in the housing
member 10. This passage is in fluid communication
(schematically illustrated at 90) with a second port (not
shown) in the housing member 10. The second port also functions
as either a high or low pressure port. Fluid communicated to
the passage 88 is in fluid communication with the spllne
connection between the wobble shaft $6 and the enlarged head 32
of the output shaft, with a cen~ral hore 92 formed in the wobble
shaft, and thereby with a fluid chamber 94 within a central
bore in a commutation plate g6-
Commutation plate 96 i~ formed by three plate~ whichare fixed to each other. The commutation plate 96 is fixed to
~L0'73'~42
the rotor (by pins 98) and orbits and rotates with the rotor.
A first plate 100 has a radial face 101 which is in sliding
engagement with one axial side of the stator plate 14 which
forms part of the gerotor gearset. As seen ir. Fig. 4 plate 100
includes a plurality of pairs of first and second passages 102,
104 extending axially therethrough. The passages 102, 104 are
arranged in a circular pattern.
A second plate 106 includes a plurality o~ pairs of
generally radially extending first and second channels 108,
110 (see Fig. 5) with first channels 108 being disposed in
fluid communication with respective first passages 102 and with
chamber 84 (which encircles the commutation plate 96). The
second channels 110 are disposed in fluid communication
with respective second passages 104 and with fluid chamber 94
formed interiorly of the commutation plate. A third plate 112
acts as a wear plate which is in sliding engagement with a
radial wall 114 of the housing member 10. -
The fluid pockets formed by the hydraulic device of
the present invention are formed between the rollers of the
stator and include the notches 64 disposed between the rollers.
In operation, high pressure fluid is directed through one port
and is directed by either ~irst passages 102 or second passages
104 to the fluid pockets on one side of the line of eccentricity.
At the same time the other set of passages, 102 or 104 communicat~
the fluid pockets on the other side of the line of the eccentrici~y
to the other port which i5 at low pressure. This generates the ¦
torque on the rotor and causes it to rotate and orbit with
respect to the stator.
.
10';'3'74Z
In a particularly advantageous feature of the present
invention the circular pattern of the axial passayes 102, 104
is dimensioned so that the axial passages 102, 104 are in
radial alignment with the notches 64 in the stator in selected
rotational and orbital positions of the members of the gerotor
gearset. For example, as shown in Fig. 4, when a rotor tooth
such as 74 is at minimum insertion little or noe of the associate~
passages 102, 104 are in radial alignment with the notches 64.
The passages associated with the tooth 72 at maximum insertion
are both in radial alignment with the notches (though actual
communication is blocked by wall portions of the stator~.
At various points between maximum and minimum insertion the
-amount of radial alignment of the passages 102, 104 with the
notches varies.
I~ this manner fluid is effectively commutated
againstthe notches and this provides for high volumetric
efficiency. A pocket which is at high pressure and which is also
approaching maximum insertion (e.g., the pocket between rollers G¦~
and H in Fig. 4).is in substantial communication with a first
passage 102 so that high pressure fluid is suhstantially exhaustec
from the pocket before it undergoes transition from the~low pre~-
sure zone to the high pressure zone. This minimizes high pressure
drops in the pocket at maximum insertion. A fluid pocket at low~ ¦~
pressure and which has just been subjec~ to maximum insertion ~eg,
. . . '~ "~,
'
. I . i
~ 374~
the pocket between rollers A and B) is ~uickly exposed to a large
portion of a second passage 104 t~ ~uickly communicate high pre~-
sure fluid to the pocket~ This provides for substantial exhaust-
ing of the high pressure pockets prior to maximum insertion and
substantial intake of ~luid shortly after maximum insertion, and
thereby avoids high pressure differentials in the pockets of maxi-
mum insertion, which condition would impair the volumetric
efficiency of the device.
In addition, as seen in Fig~ 5 each pair of the passages 102,
104 are shaped with adjacent oalls which converge at the same
angle as the walls of the notches. At maximum insertion the
stator walls block communication of either passage with the
pocket despite the radial alignment of the notches.
Also, as seen in Fig. 1 there is also provided a relief valve
arrangement designed to exhaust fluid from the chamber 48 formed
between insert membex 22 and end closure member 26. A fluid pas-
sage 116 includes a irst branch 118 communicating through a check
valve 120 with the first port, and a second branch 122 which com-
municates through a check valve 124 with the second port. The
arrangement is designed such that whichever port is at high pre-
sure wi~l close its respective check valveO Thus, high pXes~ure
fluid which leaks into chamber 4~ can open the check valve lead-
ing to the low pressure port to exhaust the chamber 4~.
. ' . ~
-16-
.~ .
. - . . : .
10'7374Z
While the foregoing description has illustrated the present
invention in its preferred form it will be recognized by those of
ordinary skill in the art that the principles o~ the present
. invention may be practiced with embodiments which ~epresent
obvious departures from the disclosed embodiment.
-17-
